Withdrawal of vapors and gases from galvanotechnical tanks



April 3, 1928. 1,664,482

W. A. F. PFANHAUSER WITHDRAWAL OF VAPORS AND GASES FROM GALVANOTECHNICAL TANKS Filed Dec. 16, 1925 Patented Apr. 3, 1928.

UNITED'ISTATES PATENT OFFICE.

I WILHELM ANTON FRANZ PFANHAUSE R, OF LEIPZIG, GERMANY.

WITHDBAWAL 0F VAPORS AND GASES FROM GALVANOTECHNICAL TANKS.

Application filed December 16, 1915, Serial No. 75,824, and in GermanyMarch 18, 1925.

Myinvent-ion relates'to electrolytic apparatus and it has particularrelation to means for withdrawing the deleterious vapors or gases whichare formed in such an apparatus during the process.

In the electrolysis of dilute solutions by currents of high densities,vapors, mists, and gases are formed which are frequently injurious tothe persons employed in the vicinit of the apparatus and which alsodeletertously affect the operation of the apparatus by increasing thecontact resistance at the electrode leads." The vigorous development ofgases at the electrodes results in the formation of a finely dividedmist above the surface of the bath, which mist adversely affects thebreathing organs of the operator.

It is the purpose of my invention to eliminate the injuriouseffect ofthe gases and vapors thus formed. Various means have previously beensuggested to collect the gases which are liberated near the electrodes,such means comprising in some instances small tubes at the bottom of thebath, and in other instances of troughs which extend downwardly into theelectrolyte for the purpose of collecting the gases. Moreover, it hasbeen suggested that the electrodes be enclosed within a wire nettingover which is placed a bag of asbestos.

According to my invention, however, deleterious gases are positivelywithdrawn from the bath by the use of a suction means connected to anexhausting device. As hereinafter more fully pointed out, I employhollow members which support the electrodes and carry the electrodeleads, these members extending across the path above the level of theelectrolyte and being provided in their under surfaceswith holesthroughwhich the vapors or gases evolved at the several electrodes arewithdrawn into the hollow members; said members being connected to asuction pipe disposed outside the tank and a suction pressure existingin this pipe through the connection of the latter to the exhauster.

For a better understanding of my inven:

- tion reference may be had to the accompany- Figure 2 is across-section taken on the p line aib of Fig. 1; and

Figure 3 isa plan View of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

The apparatus comprises a tank 1 containing the electrolyte into whichlatter the electrodes dip. Copper bars 2 serve for securing theelectrodes, and supporting members 3 are adapted'to carry the lcads'2and are made hollow so that suction passages are formed therein, thesepassages being connected to pipes 4. Electrodes 5 are supported from themembers 3, as best shown in Fig. 2, said members resting on an insulatinthe pipes 4, when these pipes are of conducting material and two or moreof them that are associated with electrodes of diiferent potentials areconnected to a common manifold pipe 8 that is also of conductingmaterial. the

My invention is of particular advantag in processes where there is avigorous development of gases in quantities, the gas being so eliminatedthat the operators around the machine are not aflected- Again,

the system of suction which I employ is of marked benefit where thegases formed are so heavy that they do not rise above the edge of thetank, although this latter is open.

The arrangement heretofore described for withdrawing the gases andvapors do not, in any manner, affect the usual operation of anelectrolytic bath, and is of particular advantage 'in that theparticular. combination of suction pipes shown permits the maximumamount of space to be utilized for suspending the articles to be plated.Moreover, the device illustrated vpermits the easy removal of thearticles after they have been so plated, which is not the case withthose arrangements which have been suggested heretofore, since all thelatter in some way' rovide means in the immediate vicinityof theelectrodes themselves, thereby blanketing the latter and interferingseriously with the operation- I If it is desired to prevent thedifferent gasesv formed at two electrodes from combining, for instanceto prevent explosive mixtures, 1t is easy with my invention to withdrawadverse gases in separate pipes. For instance, the gases from all thecathodes may be collected in one separate pipe and drawn off by oneexhauster, while the gases at the anodes may be collected in anotherpipe and drawn 'ofl by a second exhauster.

While I have described but twoenibodiments of my invention, it isobvious that many modifications will occur to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, andtherefore, I desire that my invention be limited only by the scope ofthe. appended claims and the prior art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an electrolytic apparatus in which deleterious vapors and gasesare developed during the operation ofthe process practicedtherein,'means comprising hollow members arranged above the electrolyteand having apertures permitting the reception of said gases, and meansfor positively insuring the collection of the'gases developed and usingfrom said apparatus in said pipes.

2. In an electrolytic apparatus in which deleterious'vapors and gasesare developed during the operation of the process practiced therein,hollow members adapted to support the electrodes in said apparatus andextending across the latter above the electrolyte, said hollow membersbeing provided with holes through which the gases evolved are drawn, anda suction pipe connected to said hollow members for eliminating said andan exhausting apparatus connected to.

said suction pipe for removing said gases.

4. In an electrolytic apparatus in which deleterious vapors and gasesare developed during the operation of the process practiced therein,means comprising hollow members positioned over the electrodes entirelyabove the submerged portions thereof sothat the gases arising therefrommay be segregated in said members and prevented from mixing.

5. In an electrolytic apparatus in which deleterious vapors and gasesare developed during the operation of the process practiced therein,means comprising hollow members positioned over the electrodes entirelyabove the submerged portions thereof so that the gases arising therefrom-may be segregated in said members and prevented from mixing, andsuction pipes attached to each of said electrode associated members todraw off separately the gases drawn thereinto.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILHELM ANTON FRANZ PFANHAUSER.

